Sliding Exercise Board

ABSTRACT

A sliding exercise device comprising of a base board on which is mounted a sliding platform movable from one end of the board to the other in a controlled fashion and a resistance mechanism to provide resistance to the movement of the platform with respect to the board. The base board is sufficiently thick to hold a sliding board and wide enough to fit a large foot. The sliding exercise device has a non-slip surface on the underside.

Reference: U.S. 60/749,438 Provisional application Dec. 13, 2005

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates to a portable exercise device with a slidingplatform moving on a base board, that can provide passive, active andresisted movement in weight or non weight bearing exercises for theupper and lower extremities. This invention relates particularly to asliding foot/hand plate moving on a base board where the device can beused for weight and non weight bearing active, passive, and resistedexercise to be performed for upper and lower extremities.

The device can be used to allow active range of motion exercises for theankle, knee, hip and lower trunk in addition to the elbow, shoulder andupper trunk in either weight or non weight bearing situations. Passiveexercises can be performed to the knee, hip, elbow and shoulder.Resisted exercises for the ankle, knee, hip and lower trunk in additionto the wrist, elbow, shoulder and upper trunk in either weight or nonweight bearing situations.

There are many conditions of the musculo-skeletal system that requirepassive, active, and/or resisted exercises as part of theirrehabilitation. The exercises can be either performed in weight bearingor non-weight bearing. Exercises that are performed non-weight bearingwhere there is no fixation of the distal end of the limb are defined as‘open chain’. Sitting on the edge of the treatment table with a weighton the ankle and straightening the knee is an example of an ‘open chain’exercise, as is performing a biceps curl in the upper arm. When theexercise is performed weight bearing, with the distal end of the limbbeing stabilized, it is defined as being closed chain. Performing asquat or deep knee band is an example of a lower extremity closed chainexercise as a ‘press up’ is an upper extremity example. Closed chainexercises promote different muscle actions of the limbs and are moreappropriate in some rehabilitation situations than ‘open chainexercises. The device can be used for both. The device is portable andcan be used in the home, gym or rehabilitation clinic. The device can beadapted to the needs of the patient. Passive movement is applied byloading the sliding foot/hand plate so when a limb is placed on theplate, the loaded plate will passively move the limb to the extent ofthe resistance bands. Closed chain exercise are performed by standingwith one foot on the foot/hand plate for the lower extremity or the handon the foot/hand plate while placing weight on the limb down the arm forexample in a kneeling position of all fours. The larger version uses thepatients other foot to fixate the board by placing the weight on thelid. The smaller version uses an anti skid friction surface on the underside.

2. Description of Prior Art

Various kinds of muscle training apparatus and other exercising devicesare well known. One of the known apparatus is U.S. Pat. No. 4,911,430issued to Jean Marie Flament on Mar. 27, 1990 comprising of an apparatusallowing the user to exercise particularly his lower limbs as fortraining in sliding sports such as snow or water skiing, includes a baseadapted to be anchored on a reference surface, the base having aaccurate shaped track formed of two concentric paths, each path having acurved concentric rail, and a pair of movable carriages, each havinggrooved wheels for bearing on the concentric rails. Each carriage has ashoe connected to its upper part for articulation, the shoe beingadapted to receive the foot of the user and to rotate about an axisparallel to a simulated direction of a ski. Each shoe includes a brakefor blocking movement of the carriage over the track so as to a simulatean edge taking skiing technique by placing the user in a positioncorresponding to that actually taken during skiing.

Another known lower muscle training device is US2005/0272563 A1published on Dec. 8, 2005 comprising a training device includes a base,and a foot support having an intermediate portion pivotally coupled tothe base with a pivot shaft and having one or more foot pedals forsupporting users. The foot pedals and the foot support may be rotatablerelative to the base about the pivot shaft by the users, to train andexercise lower muscle groups of the users. The base includes a front padand a rear stop to cushion the foot support. The stop may be used toadjust an inclination or tilting angle of the foot support relative tothe base. A resistive device may be coupled between the foot support andthe base, to apply a resistive force against the foot support and to theusers.

Another known lower muscle training device is US2006/0058719 A1published on Mar. 16, 2006 comprising an apparatus for anterior andposterior mobilization of the human talocrural joints for rehabilitationand/or therapeutic utilization. A patient's foot is secured in anapparatus and an Ankle Mortise Strap is looped around the mortise of anankle of the foot A force strap is attached to the ends of the AnkleMortise Strap. Anterior mobilization is achieved by moving the forcestrap ventrally from the foot so that the foot including the talusremains stationary while the tibia and fibula glide anteriorly.Posterior mobilizations are achieved by securing the foot, and loopingan Ankle Mortise Strap around the front of the ankle. A force strap isattached to the ends of the Ankle Mortise Strap. Posterior mobilizationis achieved by moving the force strap dorsally from the foot so that thefoot including the talus remains stationary while the tibia and fibulaglide posteriorly.

Another of the known apparatus is U.S. Pat. No. 6,616,583 B1 by LouisStack dated Sep. 9, 2003 comprising of an exercise board foraccommodating the foot or feet of a balancing user during exercisemovement has an elongated flat platform with opposite, typicallyupturned ends, similar to a skateboard. The board defines an upperfacing side dimensioned to receive the foot or feet of the balancinguser and a lower facing side. Resilient rocker-mounting ends are mountedto the lower facing side at either end of the elongated flat platform.Each resilient rocker-mounting end includes a rigid floor contactingrocker section and an elastic column. The floor contacting rockersection has a rounded floor-contacting surface. The elastic column ismounted to the elongated flat platform at the upper end, mounted to thefloor contacting rocker at the lower end, and bendable bothlongitudinally and in torque responsive to shifting weight of abalancing user on the upper facing side of the elongate platform.

None of the known muscle training or exercising devices are suitable toeffectively allow weight and non weight bearing active, passive, andresisted exercise to be performed for upper and lower extremities athome, gymnasium or rehabilitation clinic that are required in manyconditions of musculo-skeletal system, as part of their rehabilitation.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

The main object and purpose of the invention is to provide an exercisingdevice that allows to perform passive, active, and/or resisted exercisesrequired in many conditions of musculo-skeletal systems as part of thepatients rehabilitation.

Another object of the invention is to provide portable exercise devicefor passive, active, and/or resisted exercises to be performed at home,gymnasium or rehabilitation clinic.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an exercise devicewhich is suitable for both weight bearing/close chain or non weightbearing/open chain exercises to be performed for upper and lowerextremities.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an exercisedevice for passive, active, and/or resisted exercises of the upper andlower extremities having a resistance mechanism installed which iseasily adjustable according to the degree of resistance needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, there is provided a sliding exercisedevice comprising of a base board on which is mounted a sliding platformmovable fro one end of the board to the other in a controlled fashionand a resistance mechanism to provide resistance to the movement of theplatform with respect to the board. The base board is sufficiently thickto hold a sliding board and wide enough to fit a large foot. It can havea non-slip surface on the underside. This base board is the foundationof the device.

The platform is further guided by a slide runner or groves or rails orany other such system that ensure its movement from one end of the baseboard to the other in a controlled fashion. The platform is made ofaluminum or any other material that is strong enough to cope with theweight that will be applied.

The sliding platform can consist a hand/foot plate mounted on wheelframe having wheels for movement along the base board. The said plate isbent at at least one end to allow the plate to be pulled or pushed andthus providing a grip.

The plate can be further provided with a covering made of plastic orrubber or any other soft material to make it easier to handle and alsoprovide more grip while using the device.

The resistance mechanism provided in the exercise device comprises ofsprings or any other elastic material or a combination of differentmaterials to provide the resistance and also consists of a knob or anyother system to alter the degree of resistance.

Stop ends are provided to limit the movement of the movable platform asper the exercise to be performed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further objects, features and advantages of the invention appear fromthe following description of the exemplary embodiments which arediagrammatically illustrated on the attached drawings, wherein:

FIG. I: Shows the top view of the exercise device in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. II: Shows the side view of the device showing the sliding platformof the device in the start position.

FIG. III: Shows the side view of the device showing the sliding platformof the device pushed out from the start position.

FIG. IV: Shows the side view of the of the sliding platform of thedevice.

FIG. V: Shows the end view of the sliding platform of the device.

FIG. VI: Shows the top view of the base board of the device.

FIG. VII: Shows the side view of the base board of the device.

FIG. VIII: Shows the bottom view of the sliding platform attached to theresistance mechanism of the device.

FIG. IX: Shows the close-up of the side view showing the arrangement ofthe resistance mechanism of the device.

FIG. X: Shows the top view of the exercise device in accordance withanother embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. XI: Shows the side view of the device shown in FIG. X, with it'slid in lifted up position.

FIG. XII: Shows the top view of the device shown in FIG. X, with it'slid removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Although following examples shows the operation of specific embodiments,many modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled inthe art, accordingly it is not intended to limit the scope of theinvention.

Accordingly with reference to the diagrams and initially to FIG. I toIX, an exercising device with sliding platform in accordance with thepreferred embodiment of this invention that can be used in weightbearing/close chain or non weight bearing/open chain exercise situationto allow active, passive, and resisted exercises comprises of a baseboard (1) having end stops (2, 6) one at each end of it to limit theslide. The end stop (6) being deeper than the end stop (2) toaccommodate the foot or hand of the user and is called as master stop.Each stop is preferably provided with a handle (3, 7) on the top. Asliding platform consists of a foot/hand plate (5) provided with a sliderunner (4) fixed to the base board (1) and underside of the plate (5).The foot/hand plate (5) guided by the slide runner (4) moves from oneend of the base board (1) to the other end in a controlled manner. Theplate (5) is supported a wheel frame (11) having at least one wheel(10). A resistance mechanism is installed under the plate (5) whichconsists of resistance end plates (12) with holes (15) for allowingresistance bands (17) to pass through. The base board has a non-slipsurface on the underside.

With reference to FIG. I the movable foot/hand plate (5) runs on a thickplastic base board (1). At each end of the base board (1) are the endstops (2, 6) The depth of the end stop (6) can be increased to allow afoot to be placed on it. On the top of each end stops is a handle (3,7). The foot/hand plate (5) is guided by the slide runner (4) which isscrewed to the base board (1) and the under side of the foot/hand plate(5). The slide runner (4) made of any metal or any other hard material,ensures the foot/hand plate (5) moves from one end of the base board tothe other in a controlled fashion. Attached to the end stop (6) is theresistance mechanism's slotted end stop housing (9).

With reference to FIG. II the side view of the assembled device with theend stops (2, 6) with handles (3, 7) and foot/hand plate (5) using therunner (4) as a guide. The foot/hand plate (5) is in the start position.

With reference to FIG. III the side view shows the foot/hand plate (5)in a position where it has been pushed out from the start position andthe resistance is supplied from rubber bands (17) or springs or anyother elastic material.

With reference to FIG. IV shows the side view of the foot/hand plate(5). The foot/hand plate (5) has the end bent up to allow a foot or handto push or pull the plate. This provides a better grip. Each end of thefoot plate or the complete surface of it is provided/covered with aplastic (14) or rubber or any other soft material to increase the gripof the hand or foot when using the device and to make the aluminum endof the foot/hand plate (5) safer. The foot/hand plate (5) is supportedby the wheel frame (11) and runs on wheels (10).

With reference to FIG. V the foot/hand plate is supported by a wheelframe (11) on which are mounted the wheels (10). Under the foot/handplate (5) is the resistance mechanism. There is a resistance end plate(12) screwed to each end of the foot/hand plate (5). The resistance endplate (12) has at least one hole/opening (15) in it to allow theresistance rubber band or springs or any other elastic material to passthrough. There is a center support (13) which is screwed to thefoot/hand plate on the upper surface and about which the resistance endplates (12) are attached. The center support is screwed to the runner(4) on the under surface. The runner (4) and the center support (13) isthe link between the base board (1) and the foot/hand plate (5).

With reference to FIG. VI the top view of the base board of the device(1) shows the end stops (2, 6) at the end and the handles on each (3, 7)end stop. The runner (4) is the track in which the foot/hand platesides. This is sufficiently long to give the correct range of motion.The resistance bands (17) are slotted/installed into the end stophousing (9) on the master end stop (6).

With reference to FIG. VII the side view of the base board of the device(1) shows the end stops (2, 6) and the handles (3, 7) on each end stop.The resistance bands (17) are slotted/installed into the end stophousing (9) on the master end stop (6).

With reference to FIG. VIII the bottom view of the foot/hand plate (5)with the resistance mechanism attached. The resistance bands (17) aremade of rubber tubing but can be metallic springs or otherresistance/elastic material and can be of various tensions or strengths.The number of resistance bands (17) shown are four. There can be anynumber of resistance bands and any combination of these of anyresistance/elasticity as long as these fit within the space provided.The resistance bands (17) are prevented from being pulled through theholes (15) in the end plates (12) by a washer (18) and pull knobmechanism (8). The mid line stay (16) is attached to the foot/hand plate(5) above and the runner (4) below.

With reference to FIG. IX The close up side view of the resistancemechanism is shown where the slotted housing (9) has the resistance band(17) in place. The knob (8) is used for ease of gripping when there is aneed to alter the degree of resistance of the device. The pull knob (8)is held in place by a washer (8). The handle (7) is on the master endstopper (6). The resistance band (17) is clamped on the shaft of thepull knob (8) by a clip (19) made of plastic or any other hard material.

Now referring to FIG. X to XII showing another embodiment of the presentinvention FIG. X shows a base board (22) is longer than the base board(1). The longer device is designed a person can stand on the lid (27).The foot plate (21) is moved by pushing out using the other foot placedon the plate (21). The end stop (23,20) are not provided with anyhandles. The handle (25) is on the side of the foot board (21) and is inthe center of the balance of the device. The runner (4) is longer,giving a greater range of motion than the previous embodiment.

With reference to FIG. XI diagram shows the side view of the embodimentshown in FIG. X where the stops (23, 20) are at the end of the board.The lid (27) is shown in the lifted up position where the resistanceband knobs may be accessed. The foot plate (21) is bent up one end only.

With reference to FIG. XII the diagram shows the top view of theexercise device where the lid (27) is has been removed. This exposes theresistance knobs (8) and the lid hinges (26). The weight of the body onthe lid (27) is supported by the sides (24).

1. An exercise device with a sliding platform for performing weightbearing and non weight bearing active, passive and resisted exercisesfor lower and upper extremities comprising of: a base board, a slidingplatform mounted on the base board movable from one end of the baseboard to the other end in a controlled fashion, a resistance mechanisminstalled in exercise device connected between the base board and thesliding platform to provide resistance to the movement of the platformon the base board.
 2. The exercise device according to the claim 1 inwhich the sliding platform is guided by a slide runner, made of metal orany other hard material, that connects the platform with the base boardto ensure it's movement from one end of the board to the other in acontrolled fashion.
 3. The exercise device according to the claim 1 inwhich the sliding platform consists of a foot/hand plate mounted on awheel frame having at least one wheel to enable the platform to slide onthe base board.
 4. The exercise device according to the claim 3 in whichthe foot/hand plate is bent at at least one end to provide more gripwhile performing the exercise.
 5. The exercise device according to theclaim 4 in which the foot/hand plate is provided with a soft covering tomake it safe to handle and also provide more grip.
 6. The exercisedevice according to the claim 1 in which the resistance mechanismconsists of end plates provided with at least one hole, at least oneresistance band passing through the said hole, attached to at least oneknob at one end to provide for easier alteration of the degree ofresistance.
 7. The exercise device according to the claim 6 in which theresistance band is clamped to the knob by a clip made of plastic or anyother hard material.
 8. The exercise device according to the claim 6 inwhich the resistance band is provided with a washer to prevent it frombeing pulled out of the holes.
 9. The exercise device according to theclaim 6 in which the resistance band is made from a rubber or metallicspring or any other elastic material of any elasticity as desired. 10.The exercise device according to the claim 9 in which the resistanceband can be any number of bands of same or different materials of sameor different elasticity.
 11. The exercise device according to the claim1 in which the mid line stay is provided and is attached to thefoot/hand plate.
 12. The exercise device according to the claim 3 inwhich a center support is provided and is attached to the foot/handplate and to the runner forming a link between the base board and thefoot/hand plate.
 13. The exercise device according to the claim 1 inwhich the base board is provided with end stops at each end, one endstop deeper than the other, and handles provided at the top of the endstops.
 14. The exercise device according to the claim 1 in which therunner is sufficiently long to allow the foot/hand plate to slideaccording to the desired range and the resistance bands are slotted intothe end stop housing.
 15. The exercise device according to the claim 1with a sufficiently long base board with a handle provided at the sideof foot/hand plate, a lid provided at one end of the base board toenable the person to place one foot on it and pushing the foot/handplate by placing other foot on it.
 16. The exercise device according tothe claim 15 in which the lid is hinged at one end, and side supportsare provided to support the weight of the lid.
 17. The exercise deviceaccording to the claim 13 in which the base board is made of plastic orany other hard material, is sufficiently thick to hold the slidingplatform sufficiently wide to fit a large foot on it.
 18. The exercisedevice according to the claim 13 in which the end stops are made ofplastic or any other hard material with at least one end stopsufficiently deep to have room for a handle and also resistance housingto be installed in it.
 19. The exercise device according to the claim 1with a non slip surface on the underside.